Adjusting to the ever-changing circumstances of this Covid-19 affected year has been a necessity for everyone.

And the West Coast Eagles, amid a review of the AFL’s training protocols, needed to take a vastly different approach to main training today.

After initially being permitted up to two contact sessions a week, the AFL decreed yesterday that contact would be removed from all sessions. So the full squad rocked up to Metricon Stadium today for what was essentially a skills session.

Historically, this session would be used to hone the competitive juices, engage in some centre clearance work and physical battles all over the ground. Not anymore.

It was all about working in their respective lines, doing full ground ball movement with perceived pressure. It was different, but isn’t everything? And it’s the same for all clubs.

The good news out of training was the appearance of Liam Ryan, who jogged some laps early and then engaged in some of the ball skills, showing no impairment from the corked calf he picked up in the last quarter of the loss to Brisbane.

Clearly he is an important player to the team structure, kicking three goals last week, so that was a strong indicator he will be ready to continue against Port Adelaide on Saturday.  

All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern was not on the track, he remained at Royals Pines doing the rehab work required to recover from an ankle injury in a bid to play this week.

Suspended after the Gold Coast game he rolled his ankle in scrimmage on Saturday morning and while he has avoided serious damage, the medical staff and match committee will examine his situation later in the week.

While premiership forward Daniel Venables was around his teammates, he will not be playing this season as he continues to recover from a very heavy knock against Melbourne around this time last year.

Just the same his presence has been a wonderful fillip for everyone in the hub.